Police are investigating an unusually brutal case of vandalism on the grounds of Chateau Estates apartments at 103 Hart St.

Charles Winokoor

Police are investigating an unusually brutal case of vandalism on the grounds of Chateau Estates apartments at 103 Hart St.

A female resident of the complex called police just after 9 a.m. Tuesday reporting that someone overnight had trashed and defaced her late-model Nissan Altima.

TPD Patrolman Jeffrey Arruda, in his report, notes two tires had been deflated, that both the dashboard and passenger-side airbag were damaged and the driver’s side window smashed out.

Arruda also observed that all of the vehicle’s leather seats appeared to have been torn with a cutting instrument and that the car’s entire body panel had been keyed, or scratched.

In addition to the physical damage, police said unsettling messages were left behind. Those allegedly included “White Power, (Screw) You” scratched onto the hood, as well as a Nazi swastika and “(B-word), Haa Haa” keyed onto the surface of the trunk.

The car’s radio was also reported stolen.

Detective Timothy White said the case remains open. He also said Tuesday’s incident was the second such example during the past six months of extreme, wanton vandalism to a vehicle parked at Chateau Estates.

White said the 28-year-old victim indicated she had no idea of anyone wanting to target her car, especially since she has no enemies of whom she is aware.

Although the state since 1991 has had a hate-crimes statute, White said he didn’t think the incident easily fits that particular profile. The victim in this case was white, not black, police said.